Where to Stay on Catalina

June 15, 2019

The place to stay on Catalina is … The Buena Vista. They have a website that was designed in 1992.

Buena Vista Hotel
120 Whittley Avenue
Avalon, CA 90704
(310) 510-0340

There’s actually multiple windows, so this shot is just a teaser.

Don’t let the secret get out. It is right next to, and underneath, those $$Big Money$$ hotel rooms. For example, a quick glance at Hotels.com shows me The Avalon Hotel has rooms for $309 with no ocean view! Also nearby we have the Catalina Island Inn Hotel, for $298 a night. Based on the orientation of this hotel you could potentially get some partial ocean views. Hotel Metropole also has a room for $309 that has a view of the “Courtyard and the Hill” At the Buena Vista, I like the Henry room, and the Marya. I know…It’s not listed on Hotels.com or Booking.com. You have to seek it out. It probably doesn’t even want your new business. It is old, and it’s nothing to document on Instagram. But it’s clean, it is “quaint,” the property is quiet, and there are cats that live on the property—if you are into that sort of thing.

The thing is, I’ve stayed at some of the other hotels, and nothing really holds up. The only other good experience I had was staying at the Zane Grey home, it was interesting but required a cab ride to get to. I am an ambitious hill climber, but there is just no way to get up the hill if you have a suitcase or are drunk. The Zane Grey Hotel has been under renovation for many years. I’ll definitely go back and re-review—but I suspect the changes will be…extensive.